“I was attracted to Charlton as it has great facilities, passionate fans and a very successful academy. This is a hugely exciting opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.”

Katrien Meire, Charlton’s chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to have agreed terms with Russell. We don’t underestimate the challenge of getting Charlton back into the Championship [and] we believe Russell is the man to help us achieve this.”

The club have gone through six managers in just over two years, José Riga having resigned in May from his second spell in charge with the club relegated from the Championship, and there has been widespread discontent among fans at the way the club are being run by Roland Duchâtelet, the founder of Belgium’s Vivant political party who bought Charlton in January 2014.

Slade is a managerial veteran, his 20-year career having taken in Sheffield United, Notts County, Grimsby Town, Yeovil Town, Brighton and Orient.